Janet Irene (Diederich) Laevenstein died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at
the age of 73. Janet was one of seven children born to Julius “Dulie”
and Mae (Weaver) Diederich on January 6, 1948, in Selden, Kansas. Janet
grew up in Selden and attended Selden Elementary School and Selden Rural
High School. Before graduating, she decided to drop out of school and
work at the HI-WAY Café, a restaurant her mother owned. Later on, Janet
decided to return to school. In 1985, she graduated from Colby
Community College with her GED.
Janet met the love of her life when she was working at the Café for
her mother. A young man, Donald Laevenstein, became one of her regular
customers. They began to date, and on May 25, 1968, Janet Irene
Diederich and Donald Dean Laevenstein were united in marriage at the
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Selden, Kansas. Janet and Donald “Don”
resided in Hoxie all their married life. In 1974, they were thrilled to
adopt a baby girl, Jeannie and a year later to have a daughter,
Shelly. They loved their daughters very much. Don unexpectedly passed
away on August 15, 2008 leaving a huge hole in the hearts of his family.
Janet worked for the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office as a
dispatcher for many years before going to USD 412 School District as a
cook and baker, and she also worked as a CNA. Janet and her sister,
Darla, were co-owners of DJ’s upholstery. In her spare time and earlier
years, she enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Janet was a member of the St.
Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, St. Francis Cabrini Sodality and the
Hoxie Elks. Janet was also a big fan of KU Basketball and never missed
watching a game. She also spent many hours watching Open Spaces Sports
supporting the Hoxie High School Athletes.
Janet leaves to mourn her passing daughters, Jeannie Hamrick of
Plainville, Kansas and Shelly Kuhn (Keith) of Hoxie, Kansas; sisters,
Leona Clark (Jerry) of Colby, Kansas and Darla Zerr (Albert) of Hoxie,
Kansas; brothers, Dale Diederich of Olathe, Kansas and Dennis Diederich
(Sandy) of Colby, Kansas; grandchildren, Ashley Kuhn and Andrew Kuhn;
and grandpuppy, Clyde; and many friends and relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Laevenstein; parents,
Dulie and Mae Diederich; sister, "Molly" Marlene Brin and brother, Jerry
Diederich
A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Monday, August 30, 2021,
10:30 A.M. at the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Hoxie, Kansas
with interment following the service in St. Frances Cabrini Cemetery,
Hoxie. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 2:00
P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home with family
receiving friends from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., and the Vigil Service
and Rosary beginning at 6:00 P.M. The family has chosen the Sheridan
County Benefit Walk as the memorial. Memorials may be sent in care of
Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of
comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com